Mechanical liquid crystal display device

ABSTRACT

A mechanical liquid crystal display (LCD) device and particularly to a mechanical LCD device for automatically and rapidly unloading and storing the LCD panel that is especially suitable for a LCD device which has a display panel higher than the case to allow the display panel to be folded and stored includes a case for housing an extendable deck. The case has a coupling mechanism on one side. The extendable deck has a front side pivotally coupled with a LCD panel holding mechanism. The LCD panel holding mechanism has a downward folding actuation means located thereon which is linked to the front side of the extendable deck. The structure thus formed can replace the expensive electronic circuit control to enable users to automatically and rapidly unload or retract and store the display panel, and also adjust and remember the viewing angle of the display panel to meet user&#39;s requirements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mechanical liquid crystal display (LCD) device and particularly to a mechanical LCD device for automatically and rapidly unloading and storing the LCD panel that is especially suitable for a LCD device which has a display panel higher than the case to allow the display panel to be folded downwards and stored, and also has an viewing angle that may be adjusted and remembered to suit user's requirements.

2. Description of the Prior Art

With increasing developments of technology and economics, people have growing demands for leisure, recreation and information. As a result, telematics products such as video and audio devices for use in cars and mobile information equipment have been developed and introduced. Among them Liquid crystal display (LCD) device is an indispensable facility. For the car use LCD devices now on the market, folding and storing operations generally can be categorized into three types, i.e. fully automatic, semi-automatic and manual. The fully automatic type employs electric and precise electronic elements to do control function. The display panel of the display device may be unfolded and turned and anchored on a desired position by one push. However it is very expensive. The semi-automatic and manual types have to be turned and adjusted by people manually to set the display panel at a desired position. While they are less expensive, they are not convenient for use. Hence the conventional display devices all have their share of problems, either expensive or inconvenient to use.

Moreover, in order to facilitate folding and storing, the folding display panel of the LCD device usually is located on a lower side of the case. To enable passengers in the car to see without difficulty, it has to be mounted on a higher elevation in the car. This creates constraints of installation to car manufacturers. It also is a big issue in the design of LCD device that remains to be overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the aforesaid disadvantages, the present invention aims to provide a mechanical and automatic LCD device.

In order to achieve the foregoing object, the mechanical and automatic LCD device according to the invention mainly includes a case which houses an extendable deck. There is a coupling mechanism on one side of the case. The front side of the extendable deck is pivotally coupled with a display panel holding mechanism. The display panel holding mechanism has a downward folding adjustment means linking to the front side of the extendable deck. By means of the structure set forth above, the display panel may be unloaded and stored rapidly through the mechanical elements, and the viewing angle of the display panel may be adjusted according to user's requirements, and the adjusted angle may also be remembered for reuse.

In one aspect of the invention, the case is hollow and has a window, and has a first channeling mechanism and a second channeling mechanism located respectively on two sides corresponding to each other to guide the extendable deck to retract inwards or extend outwards at desired locations.

In another aspect of the invention, the extendable deck has a front side pivotally coupled with the display panel holding mechanism, and also is coupled with the first and the second channeling mechanisms for positioning.

In yet another aspect of the invention, the coupling mechanism is located on one side of the extendable deck to control folding, latching and releasing of the display panel holding mechanism.

In still another aspect of the invention, the display panel holding mechanism includes a panel for holding a LCD panel, and has a downward folding adjustment means housing zone on the back side thereof.

In another aspect of the invention, the downward folding adjustment means is located in the display panel holding mechanism linking to the extendable deck, and includes a downward folding actuation assembly and an angle adjustment assembly.

The foregoing, as well as additional objects, features and advantages of the invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the coupling mechanism of the invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the downward folding adjustment means of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the invention in operating condition 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the invention in operating condition 2.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the invention in operating condition 3.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the coupling mechanism in an operating condition.

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken on line I-I in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a cross section taken on line II-II in FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the coupling mechanism in operating condition 1.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the coupling mechanism in operating condition 2.

FIG. 13 is a schematic view of the downward folding adjustment means in operating condition 1.

FIG. 14 is a schematic view of the downward folding adjustment means in operating condition 2.

FIG. 15 is a schematic view of the downward folding adjustment means in operating condition 3.

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of the LCD panel.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 16, the mechanical LCD device according to the invention mainly includes an extendable deck 2 in a case 1. The case also has a coupling mechanism 3 on one side. The front side of the extendable deck 2 is pivotally coupled with a display panel holding mechanism 4. The display panel holding mechanism 4 has a downward folding adjustment means 5 linking to the front side of the extendable deck 2.

The case 1 is hollow and has a face panel 11 at the front end with a window 111 formed thereon to allow the display panel holding mechanism 4 and related elements to be extended outwards. On an inner side of the window 111, there is a sloped trough 112 on a lateral side. The case 1 has a first channeling mechanism 12 and a second channeling mechanism 13 located respectively on two sides corresponding to each other to guide the extendable deck 2 to retract inwards or extend outwards at desired locations. The first channeling mechanism 12 has a first elevation sustaining plate 121 and a sliding rod 123 coupling on a sliding block 122. The second channeling mechanism 13 has a second elevation sustaining plate 131 and a gear rack 132.

The extendable deck 2 is located above the elevation sustaining plates 121 and 131 and may be extended through the window 111 outside the case 1. The extendable deck 2 has a rear section with one side fastening to the sliding block 122 of the first channeling mechanism 12 and another side has a damper 21 engaging with the gear rack 132 of the second channeling mechanism 13. The rear end of the extendable deck 2 also has respectively a push lug 22 and 23 on two sides to ram against an elastic reed A located at the front end of the elevation sustaining plates 121 and 131. The push lug 23 has a binary switch B1 on an inner side corresponding to a latch tongue B2 located on the rear side of the case 1. The front end of the extendable deck 2 has respectively a first and a second pivot seat 24 and 25 fastened to two sides thereof. The first and the second pivot seats 24 and 25 are bridged by a connection deck 26.

The coupling mechanism 3 (referring to FIG. 3) is located on one side of the extendable deck 2 to control folding, latching and releasing of the display panel holding mechanism 4. It includes:

-   -   a partition 31 located above the extendable deck 2 having a         torsional spring housing zone 311 and a notch 312 on one side,         and two axle holding docks 313 and 314 extended from two ends         adjacent to the notch 312;     -   a hollow first hub 32 for housing an axle C having a hook 321 on         one side that has a slant surface and a projection 322 on         another side. The projection 322 has a trough 3221 on a rear         side;     -   a hollow second hub 33 for housing the axle C having a lug 331         on one side corresponding to the trough 3221 and a L-shaped         strut 332 extended outwards from another side, and a slant         bucking member 334 on another side opposite to the L-shaped         strut 332 corresponding to the sloped trough 112 of the face         panel 11; and     -   a torsional spring 34 having one end engaging with the L-shaped         strut 332 and other end pressing the torsional spring housing         zone 311 of the partition 31. The torsional spring 34 pushes the         first and the second hubs 32 and 33 to one side of the partition         31 in normal conditions.

The display panel holding mechanism 4 has a panel 41 for holding a LCD panel 40. The panel 41 has a lower edge forming a trough 42 corresponding to the hook 321 of the coupling mechanism 3. The trough 42 has a notch 421. In the middle portion of the back side of the panel 41, there are a first and a second pivot docks 45 and 43 on two sides corresponding to the first and second pivot seat 24 and 25 of the extendable deck 2, and are pivotally coupled respectively with stub shafts C1 and C2. The back side of the display panel holding mechanism 4 further has a downward folding adjustment means housing zone 44 which has respectively a sliding block housing trough 441 and 442 on two sides. In the center there are a bordering strut 447, a spring housing trough 443 and a housing trough 444. The housing trough 444 has a plurality of apertures 445 and is covered by a cover plate 446.

The downward folding adjustment means 5 is located in the display panel holding mechanism 4 and is connected to the extendable deck 2. It includes a downward folding actuation assembly 5A and an angle adjustment assembly SB.

The downward folding actuation assembly SA is to actuate downward folding of the display panel holding mechanism 4. It includes:

-   -   two dampers 51 and 52 located respectively on the outer side of         the sliding block housing trough 441 and 442;     -   a sliding board 53 which has gear racks 531′ and 531″ on two         sides corresponding to the dampers 51 and 52, latch troughs 532′         and 532″ on two sides of the bottom, a longitudinal trough 534         in the center, and struts 533′ and 533″ on two sides of an upper         section to anchor one end of springs D1 and D2. The springs D1         and D2 have other end fastening to the strut 448 on the back         side of the display panel holding mechanism 4; and     -   an elevation angle push plate 58 which has respectively a stub         shaft 581 extended outwards from two sides of the upper end and         the lower end to couple with the connection deck 26 of the         extendable deck 2 and the latch troughs 532′ and 532″ of the         sliding board 53.

The angle adjustment assembly 5B is to adjust and remember the turning elevation angle of the display panel holding mechanism 4. It includes:

-   -   an anchor member 55 which has a strut 551 on the bottom of the         front side to compress a spring E located in the spring housing         trough 443, and an anchor gear rack 552 and two elongated         notches 553 on the back side, and a slant bucking member 554 on         the lower edge; and     -   an anchor push button 56 located on the front side of the         display panel holding mechanism 4 that has a plurality of latch         struts 561 to run through apertures 445 of the display panel         holding mechanism 4 to fasten to an anchor plate 57 on the back         side of the display panel holding mechanism 4, and is pressed by         a spring F in normal conditions. The anchor plate 57 has a gear         rack 571 corresponding to the anchor gear rack 552 of the anchor         member 55.

By means of the construction set forth above (referring to FIGS. 5 through 12), when an user wants to retract and store the LCD panel 40, he/she only has to push the panel 41 of the display panel holding mechanism 4 rearwards, the LCD panel 40 may be turned to a horizontal position, and the stub shafts C1 and C2 of the first and second hubs 32 and 33 serve as the axes of the display panel holding mechanism 4, the elevation angle push plate 58 of the downward folding actuation assembly 5A is driven and turned rearwards because the trough 42 of the panel 41 rams the slant surface of the hook 321 of the first hub 32 when the panel 41 is turned horizontally. After the trough 42 has passed over the slant surface of the hook 321, the returning elastic force of the torsional spring 34 moves the hook 321 into the trough 42 (meanwhile the L-shaped strut 332 is upright, will be discussed later). Therefore the display panel holding mechanism 4 is prevented from returning. User can continuously push the display panel holding mechanism 4 into the case 1, and the push lugs 22 and 23 push the elastic reeds A on two sides of the case 1 to extend. When the extendable deck 2 is moved to the rear side of the case 1, the binary switch B1 is latched on the latch tongue B2 to prevent the extendable deck 2 from being extended outwards. Thus the display panel holding mechanism 4 may be housed and stored. When the user wants to unload the display panel holding mechanism 4 for viewing, push the display panel holding mechanism 4 again, the binary switch B1 is released from the latch tongue B2, the winding elastic force of the elastic reed A pushes the push lugs 22 and 23, and the extendable deck 2 is extended outside the case 1. Meanwhile the damper 21 is engaged with the gear rack 132 of the second channeling mechanism 13 to decelerate the motion so that the extendable deck 2 won't be moved out too quickly. Once the extendable deck 2 is completely outside the case 1, the slant bucking member 334 of the second hub 33 will be pushed by the slant surface of the sloped trough 112 of the face panel 11 to force the first and second hubs 32 and 33 to compress the torsional spring 34, and the hook 321 of the first hub 32 is moved from the trough 42 to the notch 421 on another side thereby the display panel holding mechanism 4 escapes the constraint of the hook 321 and the extendable deck 2 is completely moved outside of the case 1 to be anchored. The partition 31 of the coupling mechanism 3 is pushed by the returning elastic force of the torsional spring 34 and extended forwards to lift the display panel holding mechanism 4 upright so that users can see the LCD panel 40.

Referring to FIGS. 13, 14 and 15, adjusting and anchoring the viewing angle of the display panel is accomplished through the angle adjustment assembly 5B. In normal conditions, the springs D1 and D2 pull the sliding board 53 to make the LCD panel 40 in an upright position. The anchor push button 56 and the gear racks 552 and 571 of the anchor member 55 may be adjusted to different elevations to alter the angles of the sliding board 53 and the elevation angle push plate 58. Therefore user needs only to depress the anchor push button 56 and move the LCD panel 40 to a desired elevation angle, then release the anchor push button 56 to complete the angular adjustment. When the LCD panel is stored and unloaded next time, it automatically turns to the angle set previously. Thus it can remember the adjusted angle for later use.

In summary, the mechanical operation provided by the invention is less likely to incur malfunction, and can replace the expensive electronic circuit control, and can automatically and rapidly unload or retract and store the display panel. The viewing angle may also be adjusted to suit user's requirements. And once adjusted, the invention can remember the adjusted angle for later use. 

1. A mechanical liquid crystal display device comprising a case, an extendable deck, a coupling mechanism, a display panel holding mechanism and a downward folding adjustment means, wherein: the case is hollow and has a window and a first channeling mechanism and a second channeling mechanism located respectively on two sides corresponding to each other to guide the extendable deck to retract inwards or extend outwards at desired locations; the extendable deck has a front side pivotally engaged with the display panel holding mechanism and is coupled with the first channeling mechanism and the second channeling mechanism for positioning; the coupling mechanism is located on one side of the extendable deck to control folding, latching and releasing of the display panel holding mechanism; the display panel holding mechanism has a panel to hold a LCD panel; and the downward folding adjustment means is located in the display panel holding mechanism and connected to the extendable deck and has a downward folding actuation assembly to guide the display panel holding mechanism for folding downwards and storing; wherein the LCD panel is foldable downwards and storable in the case.
 2. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the downward folding actuation assembly includes two dampers, a sliding board, and an elevation angle push plate.
 3. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein the sliding board has two sides each having a gear rack corresponding to the damper, a bottom edge forming respectively a latch trough on two sides, a longitudinal trough in the center, and a latch strut on each of two sides to anchor one end of a spring, the spring having other end fastening to a strut on a back side of the display panel holding mechanism.
 4. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 2, wherein the elevation angle push plate has respectively a stub shaft extended outwards from two sides of an upper end and a lower end thereof to couple with a connection deck of the extendable deck and a latch trough of the sliding board.
 5. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the downward folding adjustment means further includes an angle adjustment assembly to adjust and remember a turning elevation angle of the display panel holding mechanism.
 6. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 5, wherein the angle adjustment assembly further includes an anchor member, an anchor push button and an anchor plate.
 7. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 6, wherein the anchor member includes a strut on a lower edge of a front side thereof to compress a spring located in a spring housing trough, and an anchor gear rack and two elongated notches on a back side thereof.
 8. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 6, wherein the anchor push button is located on a front side of the display panel holding mechanism and has a plurality of latch struts running through apertures formed on the display panel holding mechanism to fasten to the anchor plate on a back side of the display panel holding mechanism, and is compressed by a spring in normal conditions, the anchor plate having a gear rack corresponding to an anchor gear rack of the anchor member.
 9. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanism includes a partition, a first hub and a second hub.
 10. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 9, wherein the partition is located above the extendable deck having a torsional spring housing zone and a notch on one side and two axle holding docks extended from two ends thereof adjacent to the notch.
 11. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 9, wherein the first hub is hollow for housing an axle and has a hook on one side that has a slant surface and a projection on another side, the projection having a trough on a rear side thereof.
 12. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 9, wherein the second hub is hollow for housing an axle and has a lug on one side corresponding to a trough formed on a projection of the first hub and a L-shaped strut extended from another side, and a slant bucking member on another side opposite to the L-shaped strut.
 13. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the first channeling mechanism has a first elevation sustaining plate and a sliding rod coupling on a sliding block.
 14. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 13, wherein the first elevation sustaining plate has an elastic reed on a front edge thereof.
 15. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 1, wherein the second channeling mechanism has a second elevation sustaining plate and a gear rack.
 16. The mechanical liquid crystal display device of claim 15, wherein the second elevation sustaining plate has an elastic reed on a front edge thereof. 